AFTER weeks of suffering from a swarm of flies in their village, some residents in Barangay Sibago in Pinamungajan town, southwest of Cebu, are relieved to see an improvement in their situation.
The fly infestation was caused by a poultry farm whose owner was given a deadline by the local government to solve the problem.
Pinamungajan Mayor Anna Jessica Baricuatro told SunStar that the poultry farm was inspected on June 7 and was given five days to comply with and solve the problem.
The mayor said a cease and desist order would have been issued to the poultry farm if the owner fails to comply with the necessary requirements and solve the problem.
But on June 20, 2023, Tuesday, Baricuatro sent a text message to SunStar and stated that the farm owner was able to clean up the facility and harvested some chickens.
Baricuatro said spray chemicals were also distributed to the households through the barangay officials.
The mayor added that the sanitary inspector is ordered to continue the health and environment situation in the farm and the neighboring areas.
Residents who reached out to SunStar Cebu’s news and commentary program "Beyond the Headlines" reported that the situation in their barangay has improved compared to the time they reported the infestation.
One of the residents who communicated to Beyond the Headlines said that not all residents used the chemical spray due to its strong odor. (Lesly Sagayap, NWSSU Intern)